Donald David Wynia, 97, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at his home at McCook Lake, SD.
He was the first born to David and Laura Nadine Halsey Wynia October 3, 1924.
He grew up on the farm where he experienced the Great Depression and the hardships of the Dirty Thirties. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1942. He attended Southern Normal College. He was drafted into the army in 1945. He started his Army career as a lineman and was then sent to Halabird in Baltimore, MD for counterintelligence training. The Army discovered he was too young and did not meet the age requirements, so they sent him to cooking school. He spent his Army career cooking and was honorably discharged from the Army as Corporal in 1947. He returned to Bon Homme County where he began farming with his dad. He loved farming and raising cattle which he did until his retirement at the age of 75. He married Alvina Palsma June 7, 1950. They began their married life on a farm south of Tyndall, SD. They were blessed with three children, Juanita, Donna and Michael.
They belonged to the Emmanuel Reformed Church where he served the church as an Elder, a Deacon, and Sunday School teacher for over 50 years.
He always believed there was good in every person and was especially proud of the 20 yeas he and Alvina served in prison fellowship. He also served his community by serving on several of boards including Farmers Union, CO-OP, Albion Bon Homme School District, Farmland Industries Board and also on the B-Y Electric Board for over 50 years with 30 years as president.
After retirement he started a small motor business and was also a Dixon Mower Dealer which he retired from at the age of 93.
Alvina went to be with the Lord January 27, 2009 after 58 years of marriage. He remarried Judi Wiskus March 6, 2016.
His health started declining in 2019 and he moved to McCook Lake, SD with his wife.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Alvina, his parents, David and Laura Nadine Wynia and siblings Dorothy Haar, Duane Wynia, Deloris Huntsman, Delvonna Moser and Robert Wynia.
Survivors include his wife Judi, and his children, Juanita (Jerry) Jacobsen, Mabel, MN, Donna (Harrell) Smith, Patterson and Michael (Mitzi) Wynia, George, IA; grandchildren Justin, Jessica, and Jared (Phyllis) Jacobsen, Ian and Katie Smith, Clinton Wynia, Brandi (Nick) Haraldson and Tyler (Dawn) Wynia; nine great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Irma Wynia; brother-in-law, Harold Haar; his step-children, Deb Hickman, Kevin Wiskus, Bruce Wiskus, Pam Meylor and their families.
A celebration of his life will include a visitation to held from 12:30-1:45 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19, at the Emmanuel Reformed Church, Springfield, SD.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19 from the Emmanuel Reformed Church.
Interment, with military honors, will follow in the Emmanuel Reformed Cemetery, rural Springfield.
Memorials may be designated to ROCS Dining Services, P.O. Box 594, Springfield, SD 57062; Emmanuel Reformed Church, 1112 College Street, Springfield, SD 57062.
Peters Funeral Home of Springfield, SD, is assisting the family with arrangements.
